Math Operators in Python

In Python, math works almost exactly like it does in your notebook, but with a few special symbols. We use `+` for addition, `-` for subtraction, `*` for multiplication, and `/` for division. One important thing to remember: in Python, division always results in a float (a number with a decimal point), even if the numbers divide perfectly. For example, $10 / 2$ will give you $5.0$. This ensures that Python stays precise when dealing with fractions!

The modulo operator uses the `%` symbol. Instead of giving you the result of a division, it gives you the remainder—the 'leftover' part. Think of it like sharing cookies: if you have 7 cookies and 3 friends, everyone gets 2 cookies, and there is $1$ cookie left over. In Python, $7 \% 3$ equals $1$. This is incredibly useful for checking if a number is even or odd (if $x \% 2$ is $0$, it's even) or for creating cycles in games.

Python follows the standard mathematical Order of Operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS. This stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (left to right). In Python, we use `**` for exponents (like $2^3$ which is `2 3`). If you want to make sure an addition happens before a multiplication, you must wrap it in parentheses** `()`.